The Best Indoor Low Light Plants

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The Best Indoor Low Light Plants

Some homes and offices receive little natural light, making it difficult for some plants to grow or live. Low-light indoor houseplants are excellent plants for new gardeners. They adapt well to their lighting conditions and indoor climates. They also require little care for their survival.

Peace Lily

The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is an evergreen, perennial plant that can grow up to 5 feet in height. The plant does the best in full sunlight but can survive well in low light. It is native to tropic regions of the United States and Southeast Asia. Peace lilies do not need excessive watering and can be watered once a week or when the soil becomes dry. It blooms in the spring with a white teardrop-shaped flower.

African Violet

African violets (Saintpaulia species) are a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant. They grow best in low, indirect light. Too much light can cause growth and flowering to decrease. Too little light will cause the leaves to become thin and flower poorly. African violets grow up to 6 inches in height and have blooms that range in color from blue, violet, purple and white. They survive well in dry soil and should only be watered before the ground begins to crack.

Christmas Cactus

The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is a perennial that is native to South America and Brazil. The plant requires at least 12 hours of darkness a day for it to bloom. It blooms in early winter and prefers cooler temperatures. The blooms range from red to pink to white, and it has slender, segmented leaves. Generally 8 to 12 inches tall, the Christmas cactus likes moist soils and can adapt well to low light conditions.

Rubber Plant

The rubber tree (Ficus elastica) is a native to Northeast India and Southern Indonesia. It can grow up to 200 feet tall in the tropics but can be kept as a smaller houseplant. Its height will depend on the size pot in which it is planted. It is a perennial evergreen that is frequently grown as a houseplant. Rubber trees need adequate moisture and cool night time temperatures. The leaves are thick and glossy, and the flowers are small and white. The plant adapts well to its environment and can survive low-light conditions.

About this Author

Melanie Hammontree is a member of the Society for Professional Journalists and has been writing since 2004. Works include publications with "Hall County Crime Examiner," "Player's Press" and "The Gainesville Times." Hammontree has a Master of Business and is working on a Master of Journalism from the University of Tennessee.